Movers & Shakers: John Nugent

February 27th, 2020

Name:  John Nugent

Occupation:  Real estate broker/ReMax Space Center associate; 2020 chairman of Houston Association of Realtors

Hometown:  Maypearl, Texas

Current home: Nassau Bay

Family:  Wife, Madeline; children, Whitney, James, Jason and Marian; grandchildren, Briley, Mia, Brayden, Thomas and Collins

My favorite writer is: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Someone I’d like to meet:  Bill Gates

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose:  Warren Buffett

My favorite performers are: The Beatles, Buddy Holly, The Eagles, Bob Hope

I like to spend my leisure time:  With the family

If I could travel any place, I’d go to:  Ireland
My favorite meal is:  Steak and baked potato

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be:  A pilot

You’ll never catch me:  Drinking brandy — again

The thing that bugs me the most is: People who are negative

My favorite movie is: Schindler’s List

Few people know:  That I was an intelligence officer in the Army

Movers & Shakers: Jordan P. Davlin

November 1st, 2019

Name: Jordan P. Davlin

Occupation: Professional MotoSurf Racer and owner of JetSurf Academy Houston

Hometown: Clear Lake City

Current home: Seabrook

Family: Lives in the Clear Lake area and North Houston

Someone I’d like to meet: Travis Pastrana or Joe Rogan

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: Dan Bilzerian

My favorite performers are: Nitro Circus

I like to spend my leisure time: JetSurf Racing and traveling

If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Italy

My favorite meal is: Bone-In Filet

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: Lawyer

You’ll never catch me: On the MotoSurf World Cup track

Movers & Shakers: Mark Geyer

August 1st, 2019

Name: Mark Geyer

Occupation: Director, NASA Johnson Space Center

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Current home: Clear Lake

Family: Wife- Jacqueline Geyer, Daughter Samantha Berno, Son-in-law Alex Berno, Sons Russell and Andrew Geyer

My favorite writer is: John Grisham

Someone I’d like to meet: Living: Drew Brees, Past: Stan Musial

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: The President of the United States. Would be really interesting to see what happens up there.

My favorite performers are: Jethro Tull, Needtobreathe

I like to spend my leisure time: Spending time with my family, playing video games

If I could travel any place, I’d go to: China

My favorite meal is: German Bratwurst

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: Involved in the space program

You’ll never catch me: Eating sushi

The thing that bugs me the most is: The middle seat on a long flight.

My favorite movie is: Dr. Strangelove

Few people know: I went to high school in Boise, Idaho.

Business Buzz

August 1st, 2019

Port Houston Commission Chairman Ric Campos, second from left, arrives at the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership reception in his honor at the Marriott Hotel on the Gulf Freeway. Among those welcoming him were, from left, BayTran Chairman Carl Joiner and Lockwood Andrews Vice President Steve Gilbreath and Facilities Engineer Jack Drake.

BayTran welcomes new port chairman
Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership members got a rare treat when they hosted a reception recently for the new chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, Ric Campo.

BayTran President Theresa Rodriguez and Chairman Carl Joiner introduced him to the crowd.

The event was held at the Houston Marriott South, where Campo made his way around the room during a Meet and Greet, after which he updated the crowd on Port activities.
Campo, who is chairman and CEO of the Camden Property Trust, was appointed by Harris County and the Houston City Council earlier this year to replace Janiece Longoria, who was term limited.

NASA selects 142 proposals
Managing pilotless aircraft and solar panels that could help humans live on the Moon and Mars are among the technologies NASA is looking to develop with small business awards totaling $106 million. In all, NASA has selected 142 proposals from 129 U.S. small businesses from 28 states and the District of Columbia to receive Phase II contracts as part the agency’s Small Business Innovation Research program.

NASA selected the proposals based on a range of criteria, including technical merit and feasibility, as well as the organizations’ experience, qualifications, and facilities. Additional criteria included effectiveness of proposed work plans and the commercial potential of the technologies.

Three Kuraray facilities win safety awards
Three of Kuraray America, Inc.’s Texas facilities received top honors from the Texas Chemical Council at its annual award banquet June 6. They are:

  • Septon Plant, Pasadena: Best in Texas, Caring for Texas, Distinguished Safety Service, Zero Incident Rate, Zero Process Safety Incidents.
  • Bayport Plant, La Porte: Zero Incident Rate, Distinguished Safety Service, Zero Contractor Incident Rate.
  • La Porte Plant: Caring for Texas, Zero Process Safety Incidents.

TCC’s awards program recognizes member companies for their demonstrated commitment and exemplary results toward safe operations, community awareness, emergency response, security and pollution prevention. Applications are anonymous and judged by a group of industry peers and community members.

“At Kuraray, safety is at the cornerstone of everything we do,” said Tom Abrey, Kuraray’s director of health, safety, environment & security. “We are committed to providing a safe working environment for not only our employees but contractors and visitors alike.”

Kuraray America, Inc. took home 10 awards, including top honor – Best in Texas – for the Septon plant.

Area chamber is a winner
Pasadena Chamber’s website, Chambergram, took first prize honors at the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives annual convention in El Paso June 17-20.

Not far behind were its entry in the newsletter competition, which took second place in the state competition, and the chamber’s Resource Guide, which also was a second place winner.

The conference provides chamber professionals an opportunity to network, attend educational sessions and take an in-depth look into issues related to leadership, workforce development, membership and how Texas communities fared following the legislative session.

Movers & Shakers: Dr. Glenn Freedman

May 2nd, 2019

Name: Dr. Glenn Freedman

Occupation: Retired university professor and administrator; Semi-retired business owner

Hometown: New Castle, PA

Current home: Clear Lake

Family: Wife, Sara; Son, Matthew, his wife, Emily, and their children Alexandra and Olivia; Son, Brian, his wife, Erica, and their children, Claire and Jonathan.

My favorite writer is: Fiction: Gabriel Garcia Márquez; Non-Fiction: Yuval Noah Harari

Someone I’d like to meet: Living: J.K. Rowling; Historical: Benjamin Franklin

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: James Madison

My favorite performer is: Current: Benedict Cumberbatch; Past: Fred Astaire

I like to spend my leisure time: Reading, writing, golfing, traveling, and family gatherings

If I could travel to any place, I’d choose: Mount Everest

My favorite meal is: Anything I have never eaten before

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: A novelist

You’ll never catch me: Bored

The thing that bugs me the most is: Negativity

My favorite movie is: Duck Soup

Few people know: That I love to cook.

Movers & Shakers: John Branch

April 1st, 2019

Name: John Branch

Occupation:  Retired logistics manager; president of the Clear Lake City Water Authority

Hometown:  Overton, Texas

Current home: Clear Lake City

Family: Wife Patty, two sons and six grandchildren

My favorite writer is:  Tom Clancy

Someone I’d like to meet:  Wish I could have met Neil Armstrong

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose:  An astronaut on the space station

My favorite performers are: George Strait and Garth Brooks

I like to spend my leisure time:  At Exploration Green

If I could travel any place, I’d go:  Back to Bavaria

My favorite meal is:  Lobster

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be:  A Texas Ranger

You’ll never catch me:  Not trying to make things better

The thing that bugs me the most is: People who do not give back to the community

My favorite movie is: The Scarlet and The Black; When the Game Stands Tall

Few people know:  I grew up on a ranch

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership honors George P. Bush

March 4th, 2019

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush holds the Quasar Award he was presented at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership’s 26th annual Quasar Banquet at South Shore Harbour Resort. With him are, from left, BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, 2019 BAHEP Board Chairman Todd Caliva and the 2018 Board Chairman Dr. Brenda Hellyer.

THE BAY AREA’S Movers and Shakers were out in force as the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership honored Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush with its Quasar Award for all his help on the proposed coastal barrier system to protect coastal communities and businesses from storm surge.

San Jacinto College Chancellor and 2018 BAHEP Board Chairman Dr. Brenda Hellyer introduced him to the black-tie crowd of nearly 600 that filled up South Shore Harbour Resort’s Crystal Ballroom, after which Bush called the coastal barrier system, or Ike Dike, “a project that is long past due” and one that will need the backing of everyone. “I’m committed to this project,” he promised the crowd.

Afterwards, BAHEP President Bob Mitchell joined them on stage to introduce the 2019 BAHEP Board Chairman Todd Caliva, CEO of HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, which started out life as Clear Lake Hospital.

But there was quite a number of missing faces from the Johnson Space Center, which was closed due to the government shutdown. “This is the first time in 25 years,” Mitchell said, “that the JSC center director has not attended this event,” adding that JSC Director Mark Geyer sent his best wishes.

Dozens of elected officials were in the crowd including Congressman Randy Weber, State Sen. Carol Avarado, State Reps. Dr. Greg Bonnen, Ed Thompson, Mayes Middleton and Dennis Paul, Harris County Judge Lina Hildago and Constable Phil Sandlin and Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark and their mates.

Plus, a number of mayors – Pat Hallisey of League City, Julie Masters of Dickinson, Michel Bechtel of Morgan’s Point, Mark Denman of Nassau Bay, Louis Rigby of La Porte and Jon Kenney of Taylor Lake Village – and mayor pro-tems – Andrea Wilson of Webster, Don Matter of Nassau Bay, Todd Kinsey of League City, Jay Martin of La Porte and Teresa Vazquez Evans of Kemah – and their spouses.

City councilors joining the celebration included Dave Martin, David Robinson and Jack Christi of Houston, William King III, Bruce Henderson and Wally Deats of Dickinson, Steve Rockey and Carl Gustafson of Friendswood, Laura Davis and Jeff Larson of Seabrook, Robin Collins of Kemah, Steve Gillett of La Porte, Greg Gripon, Andy Mann and Larry Millican of League City, Thomas Schoenbein of Pasadena, Jonathan Amdur, Ashley Graves, Bryce Klug, John Mahon and Matt Prior of Nassau Bay, and Martin Graves, Beverly Gaines and Edward Lapear of Webster, along with City Managers John Baumgartner of League City, Wayne Sabo of Webster, Jason Reynolds of Nassau Bay and Gayle Cook of Seabrook.

Others introduced included UH-Clear Lake President Dr. Ira Blake, Texas A&M Galveston Vice President Col. Michael Fossum, San Jac Board Chairman Marie Flickinger, CCISD and DISD Superintendents Dr. Greg Smith and Carla Voelkel, Pasadena ISD Vice President Nelda Sullivan and Port Houston Commissioners John Kennedy and Clyde Fitzgerald.

The aerospace industry was well represented with Lockheed Martin VP and Orion Program Manager Dr. Mike Hawes, Boeing Space Station Program Manager Mark Mulqueen, MEI Technologies CEO David Cazes, Barrios President Robert McAfoos, Jacobs VP and GM Lon Miller, GB Tech President Gale Burkett, Leidos Division Manager Nan Hardin, Cimarron Software CEO Jeannie Crowell and President Darren Crowell, MRI Technologies President and VP Debbie and Tim Kropp, KBRwyle President Vernon McDonald and VP Genie Bopp, Oceaneering VP and GM Mike Bloomfield and astronaut Bonnie Dunbar in the mix.

League City Chamber President Steve Paterson and Chairman Rebecca Lilley were in the crowd as were Clear Lake Chamber President Cindy DeWease and Chairman Brian Freedman, Amoco Credit Union President Shawn Bailey, attorneys Joe Barlow, Craig Saunders, Chris Gregg, Dick Gregg Jr. and Dick Gregg III, Space City Films President Marc Havican, Moody Bank CEO Vic Pierson and VPs Brent Cockerham and Craig Barker, MaximGroup CEO Ron Masters, Norman Frede Chevrolet GM Joan McKinney, San Jac Vice Chancellor Teri Crawford, My Flooring America President Mike Furin, Col. Len Waterworth of Texas A&M Galveston and BayTran President Theresa Rodriguez.

Other well known faces spotted mingling in the crowd were Emmeline Dodd and Gene Hollier, Jack and Marcy Fryday, John Martinec, Carol and Bob Robinson, Harv Hartman, Beth and TJ Aulds, Amy and Paul Dunphey, Lynda Guidry, Karen and Mark Keesler, Jeannie Kranz, Harriet and Jon Pilgrim, Debbie and Dr. Peter Wuenschel, Al Saylor and Gwen Griffin, Jim and Jane Sweeney, and John Wilkins, whose pretty wife, Shari, sang the most beautiful rendition of the National Anthem we have probably ever heard.

Bay Area Houston Magazine